Despite a three hour-long special meeting this morning, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) could not decide on its stand regarding the religious conversion issue.

"We know how sensitive the issue is and we need to discuss it further in another meeting to be held next month," said commissioner Prof Mohd Hamdan Adnan when contacted.

He said this morning's meeting at the Suhakam headquarters in Kuala Lumpur was chaired by commission chairperson Abu Talib Othman.

Hamdan said the commission had received five memorandums on the religious conversion issue, triggered by the controversy following the death of Mount Everest hero M Moorthy.

The commission was also looking at other related issues, including cases of apostasy and demolition of places of worship and was awaiting response from the relevant agencies, he added.

Article 121 (1A)

Nevertheless, Hamdan said the main issue discussed this morning was wether there is a need to amend Article 121 (1A) of the Federal Constitution.

"Of course Islamic groups want it to be retained while the others want an amendment. It is crucial for us to study all these suggestions.

"We are weighing the pros and cons but basically we are all human rights commissioners and of course we look at it from a human rights perspective first," he added.

Among others, he said the commissioners need to further study the parliamentary Hansard on the background of Article 121 (1A).

According to Hamdan, the commissioners present at the meeting provided various inputs on the issue.

"The commissioners come from different religious backgrounds. The discussion was cordial, open and articulate.

"What we achieve must be helpful to racial harmony and no group should be deprived of their rights," he said.

Last Friday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that Article 121 (1A)will not be amended.

The Article is seen as forbidding the civil courts from interfering in syariah matters.